Many people are prescribed strong pain relievers when they need pain relief. Opioids may help relieve pain, but they can also create a physical dependence as a person develops a tolerance to the pain medication. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine provide an alternative to opioid medications and opioids such as Codeine and Vicodin for pain management, and a way to help treat both opioid dependence and addiction.We often hear on the news that the United States is facing an "opioid epidemic". Recent statistics show that more than ten million Americans may suffer from an opioid use disorder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data showed that more than 75,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2021.
Some of the most common pain relievers include:
Oxycodone (Oxycontin)Hydrocodone (Vicodin)OxymorphoneMorphineMethadoneFentanylCodeineTramadolBuprenorphine
Opioids are also known as "narcotics". "Opioid" medicines are derived naturally from the poppy plant. These include: opium, codeine, and heroin. Opiates are produced synthetically in a laboratory. These include: oxycodone and fentanyl.
Opioids or opioids are prescribed to people to help them deal with severe pain, but the drugs themselves can then become the main cause of suffering in their lives. Almost a quarter of people who are prescribed opioid pain medications end up misusing them.
Misuse of opioids can mean different things, such as: taking more than the prescribed dose, using someone else's drug, or continuing to take the drug even if it is having a negative impact on your health and life.
Opioid dependence is different from addiction, and it is possible to experience drug dependence with or without developing a substance use disorder.
When a person becomes dependent on a drug, this means that they need a certain dose of that substance to avoid withdrawal symptoms. This is why these medications are closely monitored by the prescribing physician, so that the dosage is carefully controlled. A person may need to wean off medications slowly when they are no longer necessary, in order to avoid withdrawal.
It is also possible for a person to develop an addiction to opioids, as they stimulate the release of endorphins, which help block pain signals and produce positive feelings. When this process is repeated over and over, the body naturally begins to produce less endorphins, and a higher dose of opioid medication is required to produce the same effect; This is what we mean by "tolerance" to a drug.The likelihood of opioid addiction - or an opioid use disorder - increases the longer a person takes them - for example, in the case of chronic pain. Other factors, such as depression or anxiety, high levels of stress at work or home, and use of other substances such as tobacco and alcohol, can also play a role in addiction risk.
It can be difficult, even for clinicians, to distinguish between physical dependence and addiction. Addiction is usually defined as “misuse” or “misuse.” When a person feels they cannot live without medication, there is clearly a problem.Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine may play an important role in helping individuals and society as a whole overcome dependence on opioid pain relievers because they treat the problem in several ways.
Top 10 Reasons Acupuncture is a good alternative to opioids for pain relief
Comments
Post a Comment